asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the present situation with regard to international arbitration over the conflicting claims to the island of Rockall and to the waters around it.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rockall Jurisdiction Claims.
11.
Regular discussions continue to take place in relation to issues arising out of the proposed submission to international arbitration of the delimitation of the common continental shelf between Ireland and Britain. Pending the outcome of these discussions, I do not propose to make a statement or to elaborate further on the details under discussion at present.
Is the Minister aware that the British authorities regard the Rockall trough as an area of outstanding importance from the point of view of oil, fisheries, and even as a depository for radioactive waste? Will the Minister agree that there is no basis for an uninhabited rock creating territorial rights? Will he ensure that any companies moving into those waters are aware that the ownership of the waters is disputed? Finally, will he tell us if the British have indicated they will abide by international arbitration in this matter?
The basis of our claim is as laid out by Deputy Collins. Of course, if we go to arbitration the presumption is that both sides will abide by the adjudication of the arbitrator.